Seven Explanations On Why Cut Car Key Is Important

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and the longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer on board detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to make it work.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.

Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths.

VATS get keys cut

Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a pellet of resistance embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires may begin to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car key cutting service won't begin.

You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and check whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle when you're in a hurry or summon it by pressing the button. This is more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep price to pay for a device that's often tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.

To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

The decision of whether to buy a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd spend at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.

You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key can be used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within certain distance.

If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.

Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. laser car key cutting service near me cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the van key cutting and won't be able to start.